Keeping My Hard Hat On ...

My experience in Habitat taught me a lot of things. It also reminded me of things that  I know but I am starting to forget. this blog will turn into a novel if i will write everything that I have learned in my term as an intern in Habitat so I'll just pick one thing i find very significant.

Small things can go a long way.

The setup of Habitat for Humanity Philippines (HFHP) simply proves this. Habitat helps people to have homes. But Habitat doesn't have a number of employees big enough to build these houses. They have partners that gives them millions for materials, but the number of these partners were still not enough to build houses plenty enough to reach the target of giving everyone a place to live. So, they accept volunteers. If one person decides to volunteer, assuming that that person can lay 15 hollow blocks in the least, then that's already a complete house if there were 10 of them. but if one decides to stay at home, we will be 15 blocks far from providing a new house for a Filipino family.

I remember what David Bonifacio talked about during the second day of the event. He metioned 3 things but i'll just discuss the two. Acorn and a Droplet. These are two small things. things that we dont bother to notice. but if we think deeper, we'll realize that Oak trees are from acorns. Strong and huge Oak trees, from acorns that people ignore. Second is the droplet, than when dropped in the sea, will no longer be visible. but again, if we look closely, droplets dont vanish just like that. droplets create ripples. ripples create more ripples. and so on.

What i'm really trying to say here, is that our small actions can result to grander things. things that can change other peoples lives for good.

My last day of internship in Habitat will not definitely be the last day i'll be there. This experience made me realize the worth of my actions no matter how small it may be. I'm hoping to join more builds by Habitat in the future. :)

Acorns to Oak trees ...

Droplet to Ripples ...

The Gang! :)

I don't really have much to say regarding the people I have worked with in Habitat other than they really made my stay in Habitat worthwhile. They are such wonderful people. They make work more fun. So, here's a couple of pictures of me and my co-interns :)

The War Room

Knock knock! I was too early for my first day in Habitat for Humanity. Maybe I was too exited. I don't have any idea what my office space would look like. 

While I was waiting at their receiving area. I imagined it could be a desk in the corner within the usual office cubicle divider or perhaps a small space beside my supervisor. 

After our orientation, they transferred us to a big room with long tables and chairs. It's like a small conference room and they call it ... The War Room. 

At first, I really wonder why. But after a few days, my question is answered. The 'War Room' is now filled with supplies for the upcoming youth build and they are in stacked on the floor. Boxes, big packages of stuff, big plastics full of shirts and gloves and etc. 

The 'war room' may be a place of terror for some people, especially for those who have OCD, but it is one place that I'll surely miss.

Early morning conversations ...

working under pressure ... 

reading in silence ... 

chatting with my office mates ... 

sneaking food in, movie marathons ...

monopoly deal ...

Habitat for Humanity Philippines' 25th Anniversary

The wall that presents the 25 years of service of Habitat for Humanity Philippines.

Preparing for this event gave us a lot of headache, pressure, and working hours starting from the guest list up to the final touches. Despite the difficulties, it also really feels good to know that what we're doing  is a way to thank the people who made it possible for Habitat to get this far. 

The following will be pictures from the event! :)

Miniature blocks from the volunteer desk. :)

The Wall of Hope where you can draw/write your vision for a "dream house".

This is what i drew! :)

The "brick house" where people can write their message to Habitat in "bricks" and post it to this miniature house! :)

Navarra and X-Trail from Nissan Philippines and Universal Motors :)

Day 2: Talk on nation building by lovely people. :) David Bonifacio, Ilac Diaz, and Ditsi Carolino! :)

Some pictures with the gang! :)

And me of course ... :)

#YouthBuild2013

So here it is. The day of event that we have been spending our time in preparing. Since I am assigned to to go with the bus that will pick-up volunteers in TIP-Manila, I was obliged to wake up at 2am. When we get to TIP, the number of people there were not more than the number of my fingers and toes. I was kind of  irritated because we are expected to fill up 8 buses, a coaster, and another 2 buses from San Beda and Letran. After 165 years of waiting, registration, and rolling on the road, we finally reached the site! HOORAY!!! :)

see that kid? :)

After a short program that includes an opening prayer, bit of orientation, and opening remarks from the executive of Habitat, the building finally started. people were really excited and eager to get their hands dirty for a good cause. :)

 

Let the building begin! :)

After a few hours of building, we have been awarded McDonald's for lunch. :) Of course, it was sponsored because the son of the owner of McDonald's Philippines is the present president of the Habitat Youth Council.

After lunch, we continued with the program. The mayor of Navotas joined us. The donation from Megaworld  was also acknowledged and presented. Cristalle Henares (Vicky Belo's daughter) was also present in the event.

Cristalle Henares and Simon Tantoco of Habitat Youth Council

This experience is really fulfilling and fun. I wish to join more builds. :) This build will not be possible if not with the guidance and will of God, and of course, people with kind hearts that volunteered and donated.